Sunday night (May 20) ushered in the first night of the finale of this season's American Idol, as the final three contestants — country stalwarts Gabby Barrett and Caleb Lee Hutchinson, plus indie-leaning Maddie Poppe — put in their best bids to become the next in line to be an Idol.

This night was particularly performance heavy, as each contestant was tasked with singing a song they have already performed, a hometown dedication, and a "winning" single.

While all the contestants, of course, brought their game to the table, Judge Katy Perry blurted out which one of the three she will be voting for (as a judge, her vote does not have weight — America's votes are deciding who takes it home). She told Maddie Poppe definitively, after a particularly pretty version of the Fleetwood Mac classic "Landslide": "I'm voting for you."

Hutchinson and Barrett held their own during the intense night, with Hutchinson delivering Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," Keith Whitley's "Don't Close Your Eyes," and the original "Johnny Cash Heart." Meanwhile, Barrett handled Miranda Lambert's "Little Red Wagon," original "River's Heart," and a particularly rousing "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey, which was lauded by none other than famously reclusive former frontman Steve Perry in the audience.

The winner of the entire season of American Idol will be announced Monday (May 21) at 9PM ET/PT.

How Many of These American Idol Finalists Do You Remember?

See Carrie Underwood's Best Live Singing!

More From K92.3